One of the things I love about being a reporter is interacting with readers &ndash hearing their feedback, probing them for story ideas and even having them challenge something you wrote. Good or bad, it's always nice to know you're not writing in a vacuum.

So when I arrived at my desk this morning, I took particular delight in the following e-mail regarding electric cars that awaited me in my inbox:

February 3, 2009

sveng@mbusinessreview.com

Dear, Sven Gustafson

We are in fifth grade and we are studying electric cars. This is important
to us because we don't like global warming. It is creating climate change,
killing the animals and the water is drying up. We are against gas cars
because they pollute a lot and smell bad.

I know that electric cars are better for the environment. Some electric
car use batteries. They cost $10,000-$150,000.

We did a lot of research but we still have some questions for you all we
can hope for is you could answer some questions. Why did you stop making electric cars? Why didn't you start making them again? How do they work?

Thank you for what you are doing for the environment. It is good that
people are doing something to help.

The e-mail was signed by three students who attend the Tops School, an alternative K-8 public school in Seattle. I've left their names out, but the school's administrative secretary confirmed for me today they are all enrolled at the school and that students there are working on a project on electric vehicles.

"They've been writing to quite a few companies and they've gotten a lot of letters back," said Patty Woodward, the school's administrative secretary.

While the students clearly confuse me for someone who actually makes electric vehicles, I think their letter is well written and reflect the concerns of engaged, thoughtful kids. It provides further backing to claims I often hear from academic types that the upcoming generations are keenly interested in green technology.